Owner who wanted out wasn’t in historic district

MORRISON – A property owner who wanted out of the city’s historic district doesn’t have to worry. His property was never in it, city officials say.

This week, the city’s Historic Preservation Commission looked at three property owners’ requests to opt out of the district. People have until Dec. 31 to apply.

The commission makes recommendations on opt-out requests. The City Council has the final say.

Resident Bob Shambaugh requested that the city exempt his property at 409 E. Wall St. It wasn’t part of the district that includes downtown, areas along the Lincoln Highway and the Hill residential neighborhood.

But Shambaugh said his property was among those scattered around town that have received historic designations. He said he sought the status for the property in the 1990s, but the district wasn’t what he was promised.

The city found his application from back then, but determined that the process wasn’t completed.

“The office staff did a thorough search of the archives,” City Administrator Jim Wise said. “Much to their credit and effort, they discovered that there was no landmark status [for the Wall Street property]. It was quickly resolved in Mr. Shambaugh’s favor.”

The Masons are asking that their building at 227 and 229 E. Main St. be taken out of the district.

The commission will look at opt-out requests at its next meeting at 5 p.m. Nov. 20 at City Hall, 200 W. Main St.